Former wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has claimed that his compatriot Younis Khan decided to mentor Afghanistan's national team rather than Pakistan due to financial reasons.

Under Khan’s mentorship, the Afghans are currently featuring in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. They have kept their semi-final hopes alive in Group B after beating the star-studded England team.

Speaking on a Geo News show, Latif suggested that Younis declined an opportunity to contribute to Pakistan's campaign, instead opting to work with Afghanistan.

"Younis Khan said no to Pakistan cricket to work with Afghanistan. There are no financial benefits here," Latif stated after Afghanistan knocked England out of the eight-team tournament.

Younis was appointed in this role by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) ahead of the showpiece event, currently taking place in Pakistan and UAE. He joined the Afghan squad for a conditioning camp and has been instrumental in helping them adapt to Pakistani conditions.

ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan defended the appointment, citing the team's strategy of hiring mentors from host nations in previous ICC tournaments.

"Since the Champions Trophy is being held in Pakistan, it was essential to appoint an experienced and talented mentor from the host country," Naseeb explained. "We have previously benefited from working with mentors from host nations during the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup."

For the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Afghanistan had roped in Ajay Jadeja, under whom they secured historic wins against England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Similarly, they hired former Caribbean skipper Dwayne Bravo for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, where they reached their first-ever ICC semi-final.

Afghanistan will face Australia in their final group-stage match at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Friday (February 28), hoping to continue their impressive Champions Trophy campaign.